Why is composting important to the environment?

25

Jan2017

At ReGen, we’ve built our business on responsible practices and we focus our operations on ways to improve the environment we live and work in. With this in mind, we’d like to take a closer look a composting – what it involves, how you can do this easily at home, and why this is important to the environment as a whole. If you’re thinking about composting this year in your garden, or maybe you just want to find out a bit more about it, then read on for some useful tips and information.

What is composting?

Composting is the natural process of organic material breaking down into a soil that can be used in your garden for a nutrient-rich fertiliser. Creating a compost heap is not a new process, but with the explosive growth in demand for organic, natural and home grown foods, people are more interested than ever in embracing this sustainable practice and creating their own compost heap at home by recycling the food waste and scraps that would normally just be thrown away. Being more mindful about food waste is leading to a composting revolution! Are you ready to get involved?

Why does it benefit the environment?

The process of composting is hugely beneficial to the environment, not only because it reduces the amount of food and garden waste thrown away, which in turn reduces the amount of methane greenhouse gas, but it’s also a crucial part of the nitrogen cycle. Our plants need nitrogen-rich soil to grow fully, and build protein, so soil from a compost heap will add to the natural nitrogen cycle by returning enriched soil to the ground. This also means you’ll need fewer artificial chemical fertilisers to feed your plants with, resulting in much healthier produce. Here’s a great article which explains in more detail about the fertilising benefits of your compost heap.

How can you start composting?

Ready to get started? It’s very easy to begin composting at home and you don’t need to invest in a lot of fancy equipment either. Make your own compost bin from some recycled wooden pallets – here’s a simple video tutorial to help you make your own. Once you have your container in place, you need to place it on the soil in a sunny spot as you want to encourage worms and use the natural heat to help the organic material break down.

Make sure to add lots of nitrogen-rich and carbon-rich materials like grass-cuttings, green waste, food waste and sawdust and wood chips, and to mix it regularly with a spade to let the air in. Avoid adding any meat or dairy to the pile as this just attracts pests. Here’s a handy guide for what include and discard from your compost heap.